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2006 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

652 reports with mileage · 172 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 221 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 189 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports14 fire reports34 injury reports

Engine complaints

166 reports
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121,500 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine

VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AS DESCRIBED IN NTB06-028 (DESCRIBED BELOW) AND COVERED UNDER NISSAN MOTORS RECALL NUMBER 06V223000. 1-QUART OF OIL NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO ENGINE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 500 MILES OF TRAVEL OR EVERY MONTH TO MAINTAIN LEVEL IN THE SAFE DIPSTICK 'L TO H' LEVEL. INITIAL PHONE CONTAC…

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VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AS DESCRIBED IN NTB06-028 (DESCRIBED BELOW) AND COVERED UNDER NISSAN MOTORS RECALL NUMBER 06V223000. 1-QUART OF OIL NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO ENGINE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 500 MILES OF TRAVEL OR EVERY MONTH TO MAINTAIN LEVEL IN THE SAFE DIPSTICK 'L TO H' LEVEL. INITIAL PHONE CONTACT WITH NISSAN MOTORS REPRESENTATIVE AT 1-800-647-7261 RESULTED IN BEING INFORMED THAT SINCE VEHICLE IS NOT IN VIN RECALL RANGE, NISSAN CANNOT DO ANYTHING. WORRY IS THAT IF ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS INADVERTENTLY NEGLECTED, AN ENGINE FIRE COULD RESULT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. RECALL SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10690926

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND CUTTING OUT AT STOP LIGHTS WHICH WAS A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC. AFTER TALKING WITH NISSAN I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED JN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V5727000 AND I FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THIS PART WAS REPLACED BY A PRIVAT…

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CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND CUTTING OUT AT STOP LIGHTS WHICH WAS A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC. AFTER TALKING WITH NISSAN I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED JN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V5727000 AND I FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THIS PART WAS REPLACED BY A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR IN OCTOBER 2014 FOR A TOTAL OF $250.09. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2014 FROM A TOYOTA USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND STARTED EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM SHORTLY THEREAFTER. PLEASE HELP ME RECOVER MY MONEY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678263

105,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Engine

THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT LAST EVENING. I WAS DRIVING THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 35MPH WHEN THE POWER SEEMED TO SLOW, I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING, AND IMMEDIATELY IT RETURNED TO NORMAL POWER, THOUGH THIS OCCURRENCE TURNED ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY FIRST DESTINATION ALL WAS FINE AND THE C…

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THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT LAST EVENING. I WAS DRIVING THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 35MPH WHEN THE POWER SEEMED TO SLOW, I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING, AND IMMEDIATELY IT RETURNED TO NORMAL POWER, THOUGH THIS OCCURRENCE TURNED ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY FIRST DESTINATION ALL WAS FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE IT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. I HAD TO CRANK IT TWO TIMES TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND A TRIP TO AUTOZONE, I LEARNED IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR AND IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR NUMEROUS OWNERS. ALSO IT WAS A RECALL ON ONLY CERTAIN MODELS. WHICH MINE IS NOT ONE OF. IF THE PROBLEM IS IN MANY VEHICLES AND NOT JUST THE ONE RECALLED THEN THE RECALL SHOULD BE FOR EVERY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WILL COST ME $120 SO I DON'T SEE WHY IT SHOULDN'T BE FREE AT NISSAN. ITS NOT EVEN THAT HARD OF A JOB. BUT REGARDLESS ITS A FLAW THAT THE MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TO EACH VEHICLE THAT IS HAVING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667310

150,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Engine

I HAVE BEEN LOSING OIL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND I JUST KEPT PUTTING IT IN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. NOBODY COULD FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I KEPT ASKING AT OIL CHANGES. I JUST RECENTLY HAD IT IN TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND TUNE UP ($1200.00) BECAUSE VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND ALL OV…

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I HAVE BEEN LOSING OIL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND I JUST KEPT PUTTING IT IN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. NOBODY COULD FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I KEPT ASKING AT OIL CHANGES. I JUST RECENTLY HAD IT IN TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND TUNE UP ($1200.00) BECAUSE VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND ALL OVER.. WELL, THEY FIXED IT AND I NOTICED IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF OIL AGAIN. SO I TOOK IT RIGHT BACK AND ASKED IF THEY HAD PUT OIL IN IT AND WHY IT WAS SOUNDING THE WAY IT IS. I THOUGHT IT WAS USING OIL BECAUSE IT WAS IN NEED OF A TUNE UP. THEY TOOK IT BACK IN AND IT WAS ALREADY DOWN A QUART. HE LIFTED IT AND FOUND THE OIL COOL HAD A HOLE IN IT. HE SAID IT WAS NOT THE GASKET AND IT WAS THE OIL COOLER. THESE CARS ARE APPARENTLY KNOWN FOR THAT AND HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT WILL DAMAGE THE ENGINE IF YOU RUN OUT AND DON'T KNOW IT. SO NOW HE WANTS ANOTHER 5-600.00 TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT'S A NISSAN PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667035

137,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AGAIN, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT TO LOWER GEARS AND JERKED HARD IN REVERSE, AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE CAM SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS WAS AN ISSUE AND A RECALL ON SOME M…

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WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AGAIN, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT TO LOWER GEARS AND JERKED HARD IN REVERSE, AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE CAM SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS WAS AN ISSUE AND A RECALL ON SOME MODELS BUT NOT MINE. WHY ONLY ONE MODEL WAS RECALLED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662466

80,000 miles · Dec 2, 2014
EngineFire

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE ON PA TURNPIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM HOOD OF CAR, SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND HEAVY BLACK SMOKE PORED INTO CAR. SHE PROCEEDED TO MOVE OVER TO SHOULDER WHEN SHE TRIED TO BRAKE THERE WAS NO BRAKES. SPEED BUMPS IN SHOULDER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE ON PA TURNPIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM HOOD OF CAR, SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND HEAVY BLACK SMOKE PORED INTO CAR. SHE PROCEEDED TO MOVE OVER TO SHOULDER WHEN SHE TRIED TO BRAKE THERE WAS NO BRAKES. SPEED BUMPS IN SHOULDER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT OF HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY LEFT VEHICLE AND WITHIN SECONDS OF LEAVING THE WHOLE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CAR WAS TOTALED . I CONTACTED NISSAN 12/01/2014 BY EMAIL AND TELEPHONE IN REFERENCE TO THIS INCIDENCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661528

82,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Engine

I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING ON A REGULAR OCCASION. AS I DID RESEARCH, I READ IT IS MOST LIKELY THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. IT STATES IF YOUR CAR WAS RECALLED AND THE ECM WAS ADJUSTED ALREADY, THE COMPANY DOES NOT COVER THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT IM READ…

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I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING ON A REGULAR OCCASION. AS I DID RESEARCH, I READ IT IS MOST LIKELY THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. IT STATES IF YOUR CAR WAS RECALLED AND THE ECM WAS ADJUSTED ALREADY, THE COMPANY DOES NOT COVER THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT IM READING, THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH PEOPLES VEHICLES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS THAT NISSAN'S ORIGINAL ADJUSTMENT DID NOT FIX. I ALSO READ WHERE THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO STALL IN TRAFFIC POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655353

147,000 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

NISSAN SAYS CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL FOR P0335 AND P0425 ENGINE LIGHT CODES! CRANK AND CAM SHAFT SENSORS HAD TO GET BOTH REPLACED $151.68 AND $218.00! I AM NOT HAPPY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651983

74,824 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,824.

NHTSA ODI #10639331

126,026 miles · Sep 18, 2014
EngineCrash

WAS DRIVING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT INTO THE STORE CAME BACK OUT MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START,,, THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CABLES OR SOMETHING,, FINALLY STARTED,, COME NEXT MORNING IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SAID WHAT IT WAS,, ELECTRICAL PART WENT TO MY STARTER,,HE FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637370

Official recalls

3

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V223000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 21, 2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM OR ENGINE COMPUTER). YOUR VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS BEEN CONSUMING ENGINE OIL AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE. IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES, ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL BE NEEDED. ON JUNE 9, 2006, NISSAN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE OIL AT A PROPER LEVEL. FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM OF THE STATUS OF THE RECALL WAS SENT DURING AUGUST 2006. FOLLOWUP LETTER TO OWNERS WAS SENT ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V046000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE REAR SUBFRAME MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRACK IN A BRACKET WHICH HOLDS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRACKET IS CRACKED, THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUBFRAME TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems